DEER HUNTER ARRESTED ON WEST BAY W.M.A. FOR ATTEMPTED BRIBERY

A New Iberia man was arrested for attempting to bribe a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent and for deer hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic on Oct. 28 on the West Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Allen Parish.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., Senior Agent Ray Thomas observed Makay Mano, 53, discharging a high-powered rifle from a road open to vehicle traffic on the management area. Thomas approached Mano and asked him what he was shooting at, and Mano stated that he shot at a deer but missed.

Thomas then advised Mano that he was in violation by hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic and that he was going to receive a citation for the offense. Mano stated that he would offer Thomas money if he could forget about the whole thing. Thomas told Mano that he could not accept any kind of payments and that it is unlawful to bribe an officer for any offense.

Thomas asked Mano for his driver's license to issue the citation. As Mano his opened his wallet he put it in front of Thomas and offered the money that was visible, which turned out to be $120. Thomas placed Mano under arrest for public bribery of a police officer and arranged for his transportation to jail.

Agents seized a .270 caliber rifle, a .45 caliber handgun and $120 in cash. The items will be held as evidence pending the outcome of the case. Mano was booked into jail at the Allen Parish Sheriffs Office.

The penalties for public bribery are a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both plus court costs. The penalty for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA by hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic is a fine of $100 to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.